Drone Strike Kills Pakistani Warlord

Pakistani security officials say U.S. drone strikes in tribal regions bordering Afghanistan have killed at least eight people, including Maulvi Nazir, a top militant commander in South Warziristan.

Officials said Thursday that Nazir, who was also known as Mullah Nazir, was one of several suspected militants killed during a strike in the village of Angoor Adda, late Wednesday.

They say at least one one drone attack occurred in North Waziristan. Dawn News says three people were killed.

Nazir was the main militant commander in South Waziristan. His fighters reportedly have been more interested in attacking U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan than Pakistan's security forces. His faction is said to be allied with other al-Qaida-linked militant groups.

Nazir had signed a peace accord with the Pakistani government in 2007. He was reported to have had a contentious relationship with the Pakistani Taliban, which has carried out attacks on Pakistani forces.

In November, Nazir was wounded in a suicide bombing that killed at least six people.

In November 2011, suspected U.S. drone strikes killed Nazir's deputy leader, Khan Mohammed, as well as a younger brother.

The U.S. drone strikes are unpopular in Pakistan.

Last year, President Barack Obama publicly acknowledged for the first time that the U.S. has conducted the strikes against militants in the country.

Mr. Obama defended the operations, saying they are used for “very precise, precision strikes” against al-Qaida.